Front Door Window Covering Ideas

by Vicki
(Canyon Lake, TX)

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Question

We have a glass front door and side windows. Everyone can see into our home. We would like to cover the area at night, but leave it totally open during the day, without any overlap from the window covering. The measurements on the sides of the doorway are 14" wide each. The left side has the wall switches. That doesn't give us much room for a one way vertical shade stacked on the right. The vertical shades I have been looking at measure 16.5 inches stacked. My husband is adamant about the window being uncovered during the day. Can you recommend anything else we could use?

Answer

Horizontal Shades that stack on the top of the window is best for door windows.

In your case you can install the shade on the window outside mount and attach hold down brackets to keep the closed shade from swinging when you open the door.

To prevent any overlap, use cellular shades which compresses very tightly and has very low stacking heights (for example a 48" shade can have a one inch stacking height).

The side windows can be matched with cellular shades which come in narrow widths, too.

Entry door with 12 light clear glass and 2 matching sidelights

by Candy Smith
(Bristol, TN)

Question:I want to put in an entry door with 12-light clear glass (3/4 length) and 2 sidelights with full-view glass. I'd like to be able to see out during the day, but close it off at night for privacy. I've found no solutions to this problem.

Will drilling the aluminum window frame allow condensation to accumulate on the glass?

by Dan
(New York)

QuestionI would like to install honeycomb shades inside my aluminum framed floor to ceiling glass windows. I was told that drilling into the aluminum to install the blind would allow moisture to seep and ultimately cause it to accumulate inside the glass (which would require replacing the panes). Is this true?

AnswerThe right person to answer this question is someone who sells or installs these aluminum-framed windows.

French Door Roman Shade Mounting

by Erin
(San Diego, CA)

QuestionMy question pertains to whether it is appropriate to drill through vinyl doors to mount the Roman shade. It would look silly to hang from the door molding, but I am uncertain what the protocol is to place brackets directly on the door for the "outside" mount. Thank you for your help.

AnswerShades should be mounted on the French doors only as an outside mount. Hanging from the door molding will not only look silly but will hamper the door operation.

So mount your roman shades to your French door by either attaching the installation brackets directly to the door. Or if you cannot attach the shade directly to the door, because it needs space for the window molding, attach first "L" shaped extension brackets to the door and to that attach your installation brackets and your shade.

Beveled glass sidelights and entry door

Question:

We just moved in to a new house w/beveled glass sidelights and entry door. It's really pretty -- but no privacy. I do not like cellular shades or any type curtain. We have 2 1/2" blinds on all the windows of the house but did not think they would look good in the sidelights and front door. Any ideas?? Many thanks.

Answer:

2 1/2" blinds might be too overwhelming for sidelights, however 1" blinds come as narrow as six inches and would be ideal for your sidelights.

When the blinds are pulled up the beveled glass is seen, yet it can be pulled down for privacy.

Blinds have an additional advantage that the vanes can be rotated to achieve the privacy/light control balance needed.

Front door with sidelights on both sides

I have 79" x 9" sidelights on both sides of my entry door. They are current 4 single pane pieces of shatterable glass with single piece of wood to make a grid between them.

I want to install something in front or behind them to make them more energy efficient and add an additional layer of home security. It could be like an exterior permanent storm window, interior or exterior wrought iron work (although I would prefer something simple and elegant looking, replacement with double or triple pane unit if it has some security improvement to the existing totally vulnerable sidelights...

If security is your main concern you can purchase security window film It is a special window film that will protect the window from being shattered. Depending on the strength it can protect your windows from hurricanes and burglar attacks.

Front door with 3 windows

by Lindsay
(Pensacola, Fl)

Question

I have an older front door with three small windows (9X5) that have a diagonal placement right at eye level. I do not know how to cover them for a little privacy when people come to the door. Thank you for your suggestions!

Answer

You can cover them with window film. Here are some window film choices for privacy: